International news

Turkey's democratic institutions face significant challenges as the state intensifies pressure on political opposition, media, and civil liberties. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is embroiled in a leadership crisis through a court case that could nullify their 2023 congress that elected Özgür Özel as leader, replacing long-time chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Simultaneously, Istanbul's popular mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu faces multiple legal battles including terrorism charges, potential imprisonment, and a political ban that could prevent his 2028 presidential candidacy. The crackdown extends beyond politics to media freedom, with veteran journalist Fatih Altaylı's arrest for allegedly threatening President Erdoğan, and to human rights, with mass detentions during banned LGBTQ+ Pride marches, reflecting Turkey's deteriorating civic space.

The article explores the creative practices that flourish within Ukrainian prisons, where inmates transform limited materials into art despite confined spaces. Prison-made artifacts range from hand-crafted knives, games, religious items, and tattoos to written works like poetry and stories. The article highlights specific examples from various prisoners including filmmaker Serhiy Parajanov, who created 800 collages while imprisoned, and women prisoners who make decorated handkerchiefs called "marochki." These creative expressions serve as both psychological survival mechanisms and potential pathways to rehabilitation in Ukraine, which has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the Council of Europe.

Following Bangladesh's July 2024 uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the initial promise of democratic reform has deteriorated into increased violence and censorship against women activists. Nadira Yeasmin, a feminist academic advocating for equal inheritance rights, has become a primary target of Islamist backlash after a Women's Affairs Reform Commission report proposed equal inheritance for women. Conservative religious groups like Hefazat-e-Islam and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have organized protests against the report and Yeasmin specifically, leading to her being transferred from her teaching position to an Officer on Special Duty role with no assigned responsibilities. The interim government has remained silent on these issues while violence against women has escalated across the country.

International Reggae Day (IRD) celebrated its 31st year with the theme "One Love, One Voice, One Day," emphasizing reggae music's role in activism. The celebration featured the awarding of the second annual Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her climate justice advocacy. Events took place globally, from Las Vegas's new "Bob Marley Hope Road" attraction to celebrations in Kenya, Malaysia, and North Carolina. This year's focus included environmental action, with IRD encouraging followers to "plant a reggae tree" in support of the UN's Trillion Tree Challenge, reaffirming reggae's historical power as a vehicle for social change.

of "Regained Culture: Ukrainian voices curate Ukrainian culture" This article examines the parallel struggles of Ukrainian artists across different eras to express Ukrainian identity through public art. It contrasts the experiences of Soviet-era monumental artist Alla Horska, who secretly incorporated Ukrainian symbols into officially sanctioned works while facing political persecution, with contemporary muralists like Yevgenia Fullen and Hamlet Zinkivsky who navigate bureaucracy and public opinion in modern Ukraine. The piece highlights how Horska's artistic resistance against Soviet repression cost her life and nearly erased her legacy, particularly her mosaics in Donbas that are now threatened by Russian invasion. Despite operating in different political contexts, both generations of artists share a commitment to nonconformism and using public spaces as platforms for expression, though contemporary artists face different challenges in war-time democratic Ukraine than their predecessors did under totalitarianism.

The League of Social Democrats (LSD), one of Hong Kong's last pro-democracy groups, announced its disbandment on June 29, 2025, after 19 years of operation, citing "tremendous political pressure." The dissolution came on the eve of the fifth anniversary of Beijing's 2020 security law, adding the LSD to dozens of political parties, labor unions, and civil society groups that have disbanded since the law's enactment. Chair Chan Po-ying could not elaborate further on the specific reasons behind the decision during the press conference. The LSD, founded in 2006 to advocate for democratic reform and support the working class, previously held seats in the Legislative Council and District Councils before a 2021 electoral overhaul effectively barred opposition members from standing.

The Baku Court for Grave Crimes has sentenced seven members of the independent news outlet Abzas Media to lengthy prison terms ranging from seven-and-a-half to nine years on charges including money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal business operations. These journalists, who have been in pre-trial detention since November 2023, were known for their investigative reporting on corruption linked to President Ilham Aliyev's government and family. The arrests occurred just months before Azerbaijan's presidential election, where Aliyev secured another seven-year term amid a lack of political opposition. International organizations have condemned the sentences as politically motivated reprisals against investigative journalism, while Azerbaijani authorities maintain these are legitimate criminal prosecutions.

Aung San Suu Kyi, now 80 years old, remains imprisoned in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, currently serving a 27-year sentence in harsh isolation. Despite having no weapons and being physically frail, "The Lady" is deeply feared by Myanmar's military generals because she possesses something they cannot take by force: the overwhelming trust and support of the people, demonstrated through her party's landslide electoral victories from 1990 to 2020. Her unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and democratic principles has made her the target of repeated arrests, totaling 19 years in detention to date, yet she has survived imprisonment, isolation, and assassination attempts, earning her the nickname "The Iron Rose" among supporters who continue to fight for democracy in Myanmar.

The article details Bangladesh's political transition following the Student-People's uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian government in July-August 2024. Now led by interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, the country faces significant tensions over election timing, with Yunus's administration (supported by the National Citizen Party and Jamaat-e-Islami) advocating for April 2026 elections to implement fundamental reforms, while the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pushes for earlier elections by December 2025. Despite public commitments to democratic reforms, Yunus's government has struggled with slow progress, leading to protests, political infighting, and reports of his potential resignation, all while various political factions debate whether institutional reforms or swift elections should take priority.

of "Regained Culture: Ukrainian Voices Curate Ukrainian Culture" This article explores the experiences of Ukrainian dissidents who fought against Soviet oppression through human rights activism. Former political prisoners like Mustafa Dzhemilev, Yosyf Zisels, and Miroslav Marynovych share their perspectives on how the Ukrainian Helsinki Group (UHG) connected Ukraine's struggle to international human rights standards while simultaneously fighting for national rights. Unlike Russian dissidents who focused solely on civil liberties, Ukrainian dissidents balanced universal human rights with national identity concerns, creating solidarity among various ethnic groups that suffered under Soviet rule. These former dissidents now view Russia's current war against Ukraine through the lens of imperial collapse, drawing parallels between the Soviet Union's fall and what they see as the inevitable decline of the Russian Federation.

The global refugee population has surged to 36.8 million people, with total forced displacement reaching 123.2 million since 2020 due to ongoing violence and persecution worldwide. Organizations like Noir United International (NUI) and N&Y Creative Solutions are working to humanize refugees through advocacy events, including a workshop held at Meridian Hill Park on June 21 following World Refugee Day. Refugee advocates like Bertha Nibigira, who spent her childhood in refugee camps, and Luan Mayen, who creates empathy-building video games based on refugee experiences, are sharing personal stories to combat hostility toward displaced communities. The advocacy work has taken on greater urgency as recent U.S. policy changes, including refugee bans and travel restrictions, further limit sanctuary options for vulnerable populations.

The Movement for Media Safety Philippines (MMSP) has expressed alarm after jail authorities denied an international press delegation access to detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio at Tacloban City Jail. The Media Freedom Coalition representatives, including members from Reporters Sans Frontiers and the Committee to Protect Journalists, were refused entry despite traveling to Tacloban on June 16, with authorities demanding excessive documentation including clearance from the Office of the President. Cumpio, arrested in February 2020 with four other activists after reporting surveillance by state agents, faces non-bailable charges of illegal possession of firearms and terrorism financing. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan has highlighted Cumpio's case to the UN Human Rights Council and called for her immediate release, having personally interviewed the journalist despite government discouragement.

Elizabeth Ragwar, a Ghanaian woman living in Germany, attended a conference on African women in Europe in Denmark and experienced a three-day ordeal of train disruptions while trying to return home. What began as a routine journey transformed into an unexpected bonding experience with two Kenyan women, Rachel and Elizabeth Ragwar, whom she met during the travel chaos. Their shared experiences of migration struggles and discrimination in Europe created a profound connection as they navigated through six different trains, an overnight hotel stay, and multiple service failures. The journey culminated in a disturbing incident of racial discrimination at the Hamburg train station, highlighting the systemic racism faced by Black migrants in Europe despite their efforts to make environmentally conscious travel choices.

Skopje Pride, organized by the National Network Against Homophobia and Transphobia, took place in North Macedonia's capital on June 21, 2025, under the slogan "We stand. We persist. Together!" Unlike previous years, this sixth annual Pride took the form of a protest march rather than a celebration, with participants opposing government policies perceived as anti-LGBTQ+. Several hundred attendees marched through the capital carrying rainbow flags and chanting slogans against fascism, stopping at the Ministry of Education and Science and the Palace of Governance to voice demands. The protest addressed multiple issues beyond LGBTQ+ rights, including solidarity with Palestine, environmental concerns, and criticism of capitalism and fascism.

CAISO, a Trinidad and Tobago-based civil society organization, released its 2024 Insights from Wholeness and Justice Report highlighting significant challenges faced by the local LGBTQ+ community. The report identifies domestic violence (44%), harassment and assault (25%), and employment issues (9%) as the most common problems reported by those using CAISO's services. Many victims avoid seeking legal redress due to economic concerns, migration status issues, or lack of confidence in protective systems. CAISO identifies "state-sponsored discrimination" as a key factor making LGBTQ+ people "disproportionately susceptible to social displacement" and calls for legislative amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act, expanded social services, and better education and training to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

A recently leaked intelligence document from October 2024 revealed Israel's extensive military preparations for striking Iran, including previously unknown assets like the RA-01 stealth drone and deployment patterns of missiles and aircraft. Despite containing significant revelations about US surveillance of Israel and confirmation of Israel's nuclear capabilities, mainstream media largely ignored the contents of the leak, focusing instead on identifying the whistleblower. The leaker, Asif Rahman, was sentenced to three years in prison just days before Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, which has since killed over 639 people, mostly civilians. The author argues that this case follows a troubling pattern where media focuses on whistleblowers rather than the substance of their revelations, potentially missing opportunities to prevent military escalations.

President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran that appears to be holding despite alleged early violations on Tuesday. The truce follows 12 days of conflict that escalated after Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, which Iran responded to with missile strikes on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. Iran described its retaliation, called "Operation Herald of Victory," as proportionate to U.S. actions, coordinating with Qatar beforehand to minimize casualties. Various Iranian officials have condemned the U.S. strikes as violations of international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, with Iran's military leadership vowing continued response to perceived threats.

China has launched a nationwide crackdown on erotica writers who published content on "Haitang Literature City," a Taiwan-based adult platform primarily featuring Boys' Love fiction. The censorship operation began in early 2024 with Jixi County police arresting over 50 writers, then expanded when Lanzhou City authorities revived the campaign, resulting in approximately 300 arrests, mostly of educated young women aged 20-30. Writers face charges of disseminating pornographic materials under Article 363 of China's criminal law, with sentences ranging from probation to over five years in prison, often accompanied by heavy fines and asset confiscation. This crackdown represents part of China's broader effort to uphold "socialist core values" through internet censorship campaigns that have intensified since President Xi Jinping established these policies in 2013.

Belarusian opposition figure and former presidential candidate Syarhey Tsikhanouski was unexpectedly released from prison on June 21, 2025, after being jailed for five years by Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime. According to Lithuania's foreign minister, a total of 14 political prisoners were released and are now receiving care in Lithuania, including five Belarusian political prisoners and one with dual citizenship. The release was reportedly the result of extensive diplomatic engagement led by the United States, with Tsikhanouski and others being pardoned by Lukashenka at the request of the US president on humanitarian grounds. Despite this development, many political prisoners remain detained in Belarus, with Tsikhanouski urging continued resistance against the regime.

The Vietnamese government has banned the messaging app Telegram, claiming non-compliance with local regulations and citing that 68 percent of its 9,600 channels in Vietnam were linked to illegal activities including anti-government content. With 11.8 million Vietnamese users affected, the ban took effect on June 2, despite Telegram expressing surprise and stating they had responded to all legal requests from Vietnam on time. Critics, including policy analyst Vu Lam and human rights groups, have condemned the ban as lacking due process and representing part of Vietnam's broader campaign to control digital information, following previous cybersecurity laws enacted in 2018 and new internet-related decrees in 2024. The ban has received mixed responses from Vietnamese internet users, with some connecting Telegram to scams while others express concern about communication disruptions.

The article describes the first-ever Pride event organized by and for the queer Malaiyaga Tamil community (also known as Hill Country Tamils) in Sri Lanka's plantation regions. Organized without external funding or support, the event represented a groundbreaking effort by a community that faces multiple layers of marginalization based on their Tamil identity, socioeconomic status, caste, and sexuality. The Pride event aimed to create visibility and celebrate the intersection of their queer and Malaiyaga identities, challenging both invisibility within broader LGBTQ+ movements and the criminalization of homosexuality under Sri Lankan law. Despite concerns about potential backlash, the event received mixed reactions from the local community and meaningful support from allies, creating unprecedented visibility for queer Malaiyagathars.

of the Chagos Archipelago Agreement The United Kingdom has reached an agreement to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius after decades of political conflict, ending a dispute that began when the UK separated the territory from Mauritius before its independence in 1968. Under the October 2024 agreement, Mauritius will gain sovereignty over the archipelago and can resettle Chagossian people on all islands except Diego Garcia, where the UK retains a 99-year military base lease for £101 million annually. While Mauritian officials celebrate this development, many Chagossians who were forcibly removed in 1973 oppose the agreement, arguing they have a distinct identity from Mauritians and fear their rights will not be respected under Mauritian governance.

The murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf in Islamabad on June 2 has highlighted the ongoing crisis of violence against women in Pakistan. Yousaf, who gained 800,000 TikTok followers and nearly 500,000 Instagram followers by sharing her culture and joy, was allegedly killed by a man who had stalked her for months after she refused him. Her death has drawn parallels to other high-profile cases like Qandeel Baloch, Saman Abbas, and Noor Mukadam, revealing a pattern where women are killed for their visibility or perceived defiance of patriarchal norms. While protests and hashtags like #JusticeForSanaYousaf have emerged, the article emphasizes that such killings remain disturbingly common in Pakistan, with human rights defenders estimating around 1,000 honor killings annually.

Georgia is experiencing intensifying protests and government crackdowns 200 days after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks. The government has responded with sweeping legal changes including a Foreign Agents law, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and media restrictions, while arresting opposition leaders and protesters. Recent developments include the imprisonment of several political figures, including Ahali party leader Nika Gvaramia and 21-year-old protester Mate Devidze, who received a four-and-a-half-year sentence. Meanwhile, international organizations have downgraded Georgia's freedom ratings, with the V-Dem Institute reclassifying it as an "electoral autocracy."

Pride Month is celebrated globally in June as a time for the LGBT+ community to demonstrate resilience and self-acceptance, while also honoring Caribbean heritage in the United States. For young queer Caribbean individuals like Trevonae Williams, Quentin Price, and Ananda Welch, this period represents more than celebration—it's about reconciling their Caribbean cultural backgrounds with their sexual identities. These individuals have navigated challenges including legal prohibitions against same-sex relationships in Caribbean nations like Jamaica, where homosexual acts remain criminalized with severe penalties. Despite these obstacles, all three have found strength through supportive friend networks that helped them embrace their identities despite cultural stigma.

Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) suits are increasingly being used by powerful entities in Kenya to silence journalists, activists, and bloggers investigating corruption and abuse of power, according to findings presented at a recent Commonwealth Foundation-supported webinar by Mzalendo Trust. The alarming trend was tragically highlighted by the June 2025 death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, after he was arrested for a social media post critical of a senior police official. An autopsy contradicted the police claim that Ojwang injured himself, instead revealing evidence of strangulation and assault, illustrating the extreme dangers faced by those who speak out in Kenya. Mzalendo Trust's study found that 94 percent of respondents had experienced SLAPP-like legal threats, primarily when investigating sensitive public issues, prompting the organization to advocate for comprehensive legal reforms, capacity building, and support networks to protect freedom of expression.

During Pride Month in Jamaica, LGBTQ+ communities celebrate while still facing persistent homophobia, exemplified by Science Minister Daryl Vaz's recent endorsement of an anti-gay song at a political rally. Human rights groups, including Equality for All Foundation (formerly J-FLAG), have demanded an apology for this action, which occurred as Jamaica approaches a constitutionally mandated general election. This incident continues a pattern of anti-gay rhetoric in Jamaican politics, despite previous commitments from both major parties to avoid homophobia during campaigns and some progress in condemning discrimination. Jamaica's continued criminalization of same-sex intimacy through its "buggery law" remains a contentious issue, with the government so far resisting calls for repeal despite rulings from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.